Week 26 - Commanding Officer's Notes

Ranger Justin Cupples, of C (Ranger) Company, was killed in action in Sangin, northern Helmand, by a Taliban command wire improvised explosive device at 0710 hrs on Thursday 7 September. His body will be repatriated to RAF Lyneham on Friday 12 Sep following a vigil service and ramp ceremony at Camp Bastion next Thursday. We pray for his soul. Also in our prayers are Vilma, Rgr Cupples' widow and his parents Don and Cathleen.

Sangin saw a similar IED attack 2 days earlier that injured Ranger Reidy and Ranger McSweeney. Ranger McSweeney has recovered from minor shrapnel wounds but Ranger Reidy was evacuated to Selly Oak, Birmingham. Ranger Reidy is suffering from shrapnel injuries to his face and eyes. He has been undergoing a series of eye operations to clean and restore his sight. Bearing all that in mind he was in remarkable form when I saw him before departure. I received similarly positive reports from Lt Gen Sir Philip Trousdell, Colonel of the Regiment, who visited both Ranger Reidy and Ranger Allen in Selly Oak on Friday. Please continue to pray for the recovery of our wounded and those still serving in harm's way.

OMLT 2 and Kandak 2 in Kajaki

Major Laverty and his OMLT 2 boys with 400 plus ANA of Kandak 2 returned safely from their successful operation to deliver the 3rd turbine to the hydro-electric power station at the Kajaki dam. The operation was extremely complicated due to the enormous size of the turbine and the appalling and dangerous route. Our part in the operation was to secure the final stretch of the 150mile journey against Taliban interference. All in all it was a job very well done - a further demonstration of the improved capabilities of our Afghan counterparts under R IRISH tuition.

Part of the turbine on the final stretch to Kajaki Dam

Elsewhere all OMLTs have been practising diplomacy with their ANA Kdks to get as much patrol activity and work out of them, whilst respecting their desire to observe Ramadan. Fortunately, this week's level of attacks indicate that either, the Taliban might be observing their Holy Month too, or the last two weeks' estimates of our attrition rates against the enemy (circa 250-300) in Helmand might be having an impact. That said, the IED scourge remains.

Last night we held a service at the Camp Shorabak cairn and cross memorial, to remember and pray for those from the Regiment who gave their lives here in 2006: Captain David Patton, Lance Corporal Paul Muirhead, Lance Corporal Luke McCulloch and Ranger Anare Draiva. May their souls rest in peace.

E B M FREELY
Lieutenant Colonel
Commanding Officer
1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment

The 1st day of September marks the 2nd anniversary of Ranger Anare Draiva's death of in Afghanistan, in 2006. He was killed in action during a Taliban Mortar attack on the Alamo Sangar in Musa Qaleh whilst serving on Op HERRICK 4.

We pray for the soul of Ranger Draiva and for the Draiva family in Fiji. Please pray also for those from the Regiment who continue Ranger Draiva's courageous work in Musa Qaleh at this time on Op HERRICK 8.

 

The premier UK event to test teamwork, self-reliance, endurance, outdoor and navigational skills

The OMM 2008 LOCATION is at Seathwaite Farm Seatoller BORROWDALE in the Lake district on the weekend of 25/26th October.

Founded 1968 the OMM is the originator of the 2 day mountain marathon type event and is for teams of 2, carrying all clothing, equipment, tent, sleeping bag, food for 36 hours, navigating one's own route and including an overnight camp.

Teams are totally self supporting, no GPS or outside support is allowed and teams NOT arriving at the the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely.  Your team partner is your first source of help and assistance.

There a 7 different classes, (the course distances quoted are over 2 days) the longest being the Elite which is literally 2 consecutive marathon length days or thereabouts and with c2,500m of ascent over 2 days.

There are 2 different types of class; Line (check points in a pre-designated order) which is the Elite, A, B and C classes and Score, (long, medium, and short) which needs higher levels of navigation skill to make choices to optimise points scored and which must be completed within the time allocated. 

The ethos of the event is to be totally self-reliant, in the wilds, carrying all equipment, no outside support and without GPS or cell phone. Your first source of help is your partner and if you retire you are responsible for getting yourselves back to base. Any teams not arriving at the overnight camp are assumed to have camped safely. In these days of 24/7 contact and total support this is an event to test and indeed help develop teamwork and self-reliance.

The 1 R IRISH team will consist of Capt Shannahan and Sgt Coyne who will be competing in the Elite class which is literally 2 consecutive marathon length days with c2,500m of ascent over 2 days.